Since it was a "balmy" 22 degrees yesterday, I trudged out to inspect the bird feeders.

DH tries to keep the path to the feeder tree open with the snowblower. He tops up the feeders for me when it's really cold. Still the trays were dirty and caked with ice. Some of the ports were clogged in the one feeder. I cleaned everything and then topped off all the feeders.

Since the snow has gotten so deep, and the tree branches are hanging low because of the snow weight, I switched out most of the hanging hooks for shorter ones.

The caged suet feeder, normally six feet above "ground" was only 18" above the snow. I replaced it's 5' hook with an 18" one.

Now the feeders are higher again; I can see everything from my living room window "perch"; and I know all the feeders are clean and free flowing.

I brought in two of the squirrel baffles. When they're scraped and cleaned of the "birdie dirdie" I'll swap them out and clean the other two.

They don't always "baffle" the squirrels, but they keep the feeders and seed amazingly clean, which means healthier birds. When the weather is this bad I make sure the squirrels can get to some of the goodies, too.

I'm in full-winter-mode bird feeding. I have a suet feeder, a peanut feeder, and a mesh-wire black oil sunflower seed (BOSS) feeder on the post close to the house.

I have one suet feeder on the tree, and a caged suet feeder hung from the tree. I have a hanging tray feeder, ported tube feeder, and another mesh feeder, all for BOSS, in the tree. I also have one "upside down" thistle feeder for the delight of the American goldfinches and the pine warblers.

The birds are happy, happy, happy.

Why three suet feeders in a 25' area? Woodpeckers won't "share". By putting out the three feeders I always have several woodpeckers along with the white-breasted and red-breasted nuthatches either on the suet, or waiting their turns in the tree. They really aren't eating any more suet than normal, but there are more birds around.

I'm ready to snuggle up in my recliner with my blankie and a book, which will probably make me sleepy.

The only thing I can think of that I did just for me both days was be online at the KT and also send several emails to my friends.

Sue

Yesterday: We went to Ames and did some errands. I wanted a cheap vacuum to keep down the basement, I just can't carry the one we have now up and down. (we have one upstairs) We decided to get a new one for the main floor and take the old one to the basement...works for me! Came home and vacuumed the house good...OH MY! It is so scarey what a new vacuum finds. I have needed to shampoos the carpets since after Christmas...well, I figured now would be a great time. I did the upstairs, and getting ready to do the main level and Dean told me he would!! =)) Okay! (He had also vacuumed the stairs for me!)

Before all the vacuumed started, I needed to fill seed feeders and put 4 new suet cakes in the feeders. We have all the feeders right outside the window the cats have their perch at....Louie is about the onle one that really enjoys watching them. Birds don't seem to mind a bit! They should all be good and happy now....including the cats! lol

Today: We went to Ames for breakfast, then to pick up some groceries. It was Dean's BD last week, and he usually takes something to work for 'the boys'. We will make a big pot of veggie soup/stew with a couple loaves of toasted garlic bread. We came home from there and I took a nap! It was only about 45 min....but I will still have time for another later today...if I want! =)

For actual "Me Time"....can't say I have had any (except the nap), but I enjoy being with Dean...and that is good enough for me! (and I have clean carpets and will have a great smelling house from the soup! LOL)

Hey Sue...have you ever seen one of these?

This was my MIL, she received it as a young teen, in the late 1920's I would assume. They were very poor, and she was very protective of this. The box is in pretty good shape, and still have the music, bow and rosin with it.

What did I do for myself yesterday?

Played "Freecell" for a while.

Ate.

Today?

Nuthin', so far - except come here to bug you guys!

Oh, I forgot: took my diuretic pill, installed the squeezee socks.

Went to early "Taize" service at one church ... and took some squash (also to the other church) ... and to regular worship at the other. They had "Souper Bowl" Day, with about 8 organizations and families providing a (small styrofoam) bowl of soup for each, which we were to sample, then vote on the one that we liked the best. Didn't hear who won - I think that our senior men's coffee hour's offering won, last year.

We're to have "Birthday Bash" next week - with 12 birthday cakes, one for each month of the year, with appreciation for the one that's best decorated. Guess I can hardly miss that, now, can I?

Was supposed to bring some cigarettes for a friend, but forgot them ... but had a few leftover squash for him, instead.

Haven't fed the cats yet - was late for first church, as it was.

ole joyful

Caroline, GayleMarie, Marilyn, Sandy and Joyful, WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!! Keep it up!

Sandy, I have not seen one of those. Does it still work? I'll bet it sound beautiful.

Last pat I deserve was on Friday. Did a normal weight workout early, and then left for Dallas for a couple of days. Been back for about three hours now.

Hope you had a GREAT weekend. Tell Ron, I love the Hawaii pictures too.

Moni

Well, I made an attempt at taxes. Still waiting on some school stuff. If all goes as currently anticipated, we will get some back from the feds and immediately give it to the state. I can deal with breaking even. It is the years where we owe several thousand that get me! Those are rare and always a surprise---- usually related to odd job changes.